Combined step-ladder and adjustable platform



(N0 Model.)

s. J. PALMER.

COMBINED STEP LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM. I No. 337,988. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

- jjzyi I INVENTOR! W BY ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES N PETERS. Fmmlmw m hu. Washmglun. Dvc.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFEIcE.

STEPHEN J. PALMER, OF DOVER, N EWV JERSEY.

COMBINED STEP-LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,988, dated March 16, 1886.

Application tiled October 6, 1885. Serial No. 179,163.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, STEPHEN J. PALMER, of Dover, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Step-Ladder and Adjustable Platform, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description.

My invention relates to the construction of an article which may be used either as a stepladder or as a scaffold or platform; and the invention consists of a platform which is mounted on end strips carrying steps and so arranged that it may be set up at different heights.

Beferenceis to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of-my improved step-ladder and platform. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same representing the parts as folded, and Fig. 3 is aview of one end of the device mounted in the lower position.

The platform consists of two side pieces, A A, which are united by cross-bars B B B B, upon which longitudinal strips 0 C are firmly secured. This platform is supported at either end by the side strips, d d, of a step-ladder, as D, said side strips being formed with longitudinal slots at a, which reach from just above the upper tread or step, 70, to very near the tops of said strips, the slots being carried inward at right angles at their upper ends, as shown at the points marked 12.

The treads or steps is k are secured in place and held in the usual manner by the strips (1 d. Rods e e, which are secured to and reach between the side pieces, A A, pass through the slots a, so that the step-ladders D D are, as it were, pivotally connected to the platform. Other rods, ff, are fixed in the strips d d, and keep them from spreading.

\Vhen it is desired to set up the platform in the most elevated position, it is raised until the rods 6 rest in the angular portion b of the slots at, and the parts are locked in place by brace-rodsNN,which are formed with notched ends and fit closely between the cross-bars B (No model.)

B and the upper treads 7c of the step-ladders D, thus holding the ladders in a slightly extended position, the upper ends abutting against the end crossbars, B B, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen the platform is not required in such a high position, the ladders are run up until the rods 6 rest in the bottoms of the slots a a, and the parts will thus be in the position shown in Fig. 3-that is,with the tops of the strips d d projecting above the platform and the inner edges of said strips abutting against the bars B, being held in their extended positions by the braces N N, which in this case will be placed on the next lower step or on the rodsf and the cross-bars B B.

When it is desired to fold the device described, the braces N N are removed and the ladders turned down so that one rests on the cross-bars B B, while the other ladder rests on the first one folded down, as shown in Fig. 2, thus forming a compact parcel.

The platform described is applicable for all kinds of work usually done with the aid of a step-ladder-such as painting, kalsomining, repairing walls and ceilings, paper-hanging, and decorating, &c.-and is useful and safe for women to work upon about the house, and when folded up takes up less room than the ordinary form of step-ladder.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A platform provided with pivotally-connected step-ladders, as D D, substantially as described.

2. A platform provided with pivotally-connected step-ladders in which the side strips are formed with slots a b, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a platform, substantially as described, of ladders D D, having side strips, d d, formed with slots (1 b, and brace-rods N N, substantially as described.

STEPHEN J. PALMER.

\Vitnesses:

STEPHEN H. BERRY, E. L. PETTY. 

